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Their relationship had been an unexpected part of a magical vacation. Perhaps it was best to leave things where they were. Being called back to New York was proof that her daughters still needed her.

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Before she called Uber for a ride to the hospital, Emmie called Kate to share the latest news. It was gratifying to hear how excited her best friend was about it.

“I was too tired to take many photos last night, but I’ll do it now,” said Emmie.

“Thanks for the update. I’ll call Lauren or leave her a text. She can answer if and when she wants,” said Kate. “I love the baby’s name. I’ve had a monogrammed gift in mind and can now order it. When do you think you’ll return home?”

“It’ll depend on how long they keep Lauren in the hospital. Lauren and Rick arranged for a nurse to help them for the first few days, but now, with the complications, I don’t know what the timing will be.”

“Okay, let me know if I can do anything,” said Kate. “And you and I will talk about Florida and a certain Santa when you return.”

“Thanks,” said Emmie. “But I don’t think anything is going to happen with that relationship. My girls need me.”

“As I said, we’ll talk later,” Kate said before ending the call.

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At the hospital, Lauren sat in a chair, wearing a hospital gown with an opening in the front to make it easy to nurse the baby, who was now asleep in his incubator.

“How are you doing?” asked Emmie.

“It hurts. The nurse recommended an abdominal binder to provide gentle compression and support. Rick is taking care of getting one. Also, he’s getting a heating pad and special ice packs. I’m told it’s going to be 4-6 weeks of recovery. Mom, I haven’t talked to Rick yet, but can Clark and I go home with you?”

Surprised, Emmie said, “What about Rick? Won’t he want to be with you and the baby?”

“Of course. Rick has time off. He can stay with us at your house. We’ll have more room, and he won’t feel trapped as he does in our small space. And it’s a far healthier place for me to heal. As soon as I feel able to cope, we’ll move back to the condo.”

“It’s something the three of us can talk about,” said Emmie. “What about the nurse you were going to hire?”

“Rick already called her. She’s booked because she wasn’t expecting to come to us for another month.”

Rick entered the room, studied Lauren, and said, “What’s up?”

“How would you feel if you, the baby, and I went to Mom’s house for a week or more for me to recover?” Lauren asked him. “This has been harder on me than I thought, and I would feel better being out of the condo while there’s little I can do.”

“Whatever you decide, I think it’s important for parents and their baby to be together from the beginning,” said Emmie. “Even through difficult nights.”

Rick frowned. “I’m okay with it. How about you, Emmie? This was supposed to be your vacation time.”

“Oh, no! I’m sorry, Mom. I forgot,” said Lauren.

“No worries,” said Emmie. “I’m on vacation for a couple more days, then after the new year, I’ll be back in the office. But I can still help in the evenings and during the night.”

“We have to come back to New York soon after the new year to see the doctor. That should be ideal timing to move back home,” said Lauren.

The three of them glanced at one another.

“Okay by me,” said Rick. “Frankly, I’ll be glad for the help.”

“Me, too,” Lauren said. “I knew there was a reason it was important to get Dad’s office switched to a nursery. It’s fabulous for Clark. Though at night, he’ll sleep in his bassinet by our bed.”

“That’s settled then,” said Emmie. “Rick will bring you to my house when you’re released. I will see that the nursery is set up with everything you need. In fact, I made a list for you at home, and we can use that to help me.”

Emmie handed Lauren the list she’d drawn up.

Lauren glanced at it. “This looks great. Let’s make a copy for Rick.”